Chapter Fifty Seven
Celeste’s POV
My heart squeezed in my chest as dread washed over me.
“What do you mean by ‘seriously injured‘?” I asked.
Damien sighed heavily.
“Bonnie accidentally bumped Vanessa’s stomach, and she lost her mind.” He said, shaking his head bitterly. “She shoved Bonnie to the ground, skinning her knees raw.”
How dare that woman hurt my sweet daughter?
Rage burned in me like a furnace, but I kept my face neutral
“And you’re telling me this why?” I asked, feigning indifference.
Damien fixed his pleading gaze on me. “You’re the only one who can keep our daughter safe. Please come home, Celeste.”
The tenderness in his voice irked me. Where was all this concern when she was being brainwashed against me? It was too late.
Vanessa was her mother now, not me.
“Bonnie isn’t my problem anymore.” I said, tone harsh as a winter’s blizzard. “She prefers Vanessa’s abuse and doesn’t recognize me as her mother, so who am I to interfere?”
His eyebrows creased, voice heavy with emotion.
“Will you really abandon your daughter when she needs you most? I thought you loved her.”
“Cut the manipulative bull crap.” I glared at him. “You’re a sad excuse for a father. Instead of protecting Bonnie, you’re here begging me to do it for you. It’s pathetic.”
His hands balled into fists.
“Celeste, I’m trying to salvage our family.” He said through clenched teeth. “Please stop being difficult.”
I chuckled dryly. “There’s nothing left to salvage and you and your mistress are to blame. Go, live your happy life together. You’re not wanted here.”
Damien stalked closer, nostrils flaring.
“Now that you have a new boy toy and you don’t need me.” He puffed. “What does that punk have that I don’t?”
I smirked–thrilled to enlighten him.
“Morals, intelligence, the body of a runway model, the stamina of a workhorse and the skills to put it to excellent use.” I said, counting off my fingers.
That vein in his forehead was throbbing by the time I finished.
“You’ve had your fun getting even with me for my affair.” Damien stepped uncomfortably close, dominance coloring his voice. “Now stop rebelling and come back home.”
I refused to back down. That meek woman he intimidated and controlled for years was gone. This was my life, and I’d be damned if I let him dictate how I lived it.
Chapter Fifty Seven
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“We’ll never be even.” I lifted my chin, glaring into his face “But I’ll thank you for carelessly screwing Vanessa in that dressing room on our wedding day. If I hadn’t discovered the truth, I’d still be married to a spineless weasel.” My eyes flew wide as Damien pulled back a hand. I shield my face, bracing myself for a blow that never came. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
The voice was a dark, powerful growl that made me shudder for all the wrong reasons.
Ryan stood between us with Damien’s wrist in a vice like grip. He smirked as Damien grunted, furiously trying to pull himself free and failing hopelessly.
“Raise your hand to Celeste again, and I’ll rip it from your body. Understood?”
The tone of his voice and the way he dominated that asshole did sinful things to me. A sexier man didn’t exist–it just wasn’t possible.
Damien nodded once, face flaming red.
“Good.” Ryan said, flinging his arm at him. “Now get out and don’t show your face here again.”
“Peasants like you don’t get to boss me around.” He said, puffing out his chest.
Grace cleared her throat and waved her phone at him.
“Should I dial 911 so the press can have a field day, or do you wish to maintain a shred of dignity?” She asked, a brow raised in challenge.
A muscle in his jaw clenched as he smoothed out his suit.
“We’ll finish our conversation another time, Celeste.” He sounded like the perfect businessman, but his icy glare, bore into Ryan.
With that he turned, allowed Grace to lead him out.
Alone with Ryan, my carefully constructed facade of indifference cracked. My stomach turned as I worried about Bonnie.
God, I was the world’s worst mother for not rushing to her side.
“Hey, Celeste, don’t disappear into your head.” He said softly, tilting my chin up. “This is about Bonnie, isn’t it?”
My eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“I stayed out of sight because I didn’t want to escalate things.” He gave me a lopsided smile. “But I guess telling your ex about my incredible stamina in bed did the job.”
Me and my big mouth.
I was grateful he was trying to cheer me up, but my heart was torn.
“This is serious, Ryan.” I said anxiously. “Do you think I was being too harsh?”
He shook his head, all signs of teasing gone.
“Vanessa was way out of line, but she only scraped Bonnie’s knees.” He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.” Perhaps this incident will show her who truly cares about her.”
I nodded, my heart beating a little faster at his proximity.
“Thanks, Ryan.” I said, glancing away as heat crept to my cheeks. “And thank you for before, with Damien. You
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Chapter Fifty Seven
were… valiant.”
“Valiant?” He let out a hearty laugh. “It was my pleasure, ‘lady.”
I punched his arm. He was hotter than the freaking sun.
His phone rang, saving me from his poking fun at my word choice. I went to the bathroom to splash water on my face as he took the call. When I returned feeling refreshed, He gave me a wide, dimpled smile.
“I found a source for the mokume–gane metal Celine wanted.”
“You’re a lifesaver, as usual.” I chuckled.
“Thing is, the seller is only holding it for me for today. He’s out of town and I won’t be back in time to fetch Molly from preschool.” He said, hesitating for a moment.
“You don’t even need to ask.” I smiled. “I’ll happily pick her up.
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